New Delhi: Voicing concern over continuing cross-border terrorism against India, Russian President Vladimir Putin on October 18 hoped that Pakistan would take concrete steps to dismantle terror infrastructure existing in that country.

"Pakistan should ensure an end to terrorism directed against India and dismantle the terrorist camps there. I hope it will take necessary steps in this regard," he told 'Star News' in an interview.

He lauded the hand of friendship extended by Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Pakistan saying that relations between New Delhi and Islamabad, which are both nuclear weapon states, should improve.

On the proposed visit of Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee to Russia in November, Putin said it would help in further strengthening the "very strong and old bonds of friendship between the two countries".

Observing that India and Russia had similar views on major international issues, he said he would discuss with Vajpayee issues related to defence and economic cooperation besides matters of regional security and ways to strengthen the United Nations system.

On Indo-Russian trade, he said there was an urgent need to increase its volume and take it to the level of ties enjoyed by both countries at the political and diplomatic levels. "Together we have to work out steps to improve bilateral trade," he said, noting that Moscow and New Delhi also had strong cultural ties, which required to be improved further.

To a question about a growing number of countries trying to acquire or develop nuclear weapons, Putin said it was a cause of concern and North Korea should give up its nuclear weapons programme.

"Relations between India and Pakistan have not improved despite they being nuclear weapon states. This shows that acquisition of nuclear capability does not improve relations, but can increase political distance," the Russian leader said, adding that was the reason why he wanted a halt to the North Korean nuclear programme.

Asked about the possibility of such weapons landing in the hands of terrorists, Putin said in that case, it would cause "devastation".

Replying to questions on the issue of international terrorism, Putin said Taleban and al-Qaida were trying to re-group in Afghanistan.

There was a need to establish peace and tranquillity in Afghanistan, he said, adding that he was confident that the situation would improve there.

He, however, said the situation in Iraq was different but did not elaborate.

PTI